Yaya Toure Retires From International Football

The 33-year-old won the Africa Cup of Nations, AFCON, with the Elephants in 2015.

He played in all three of his country’s World Cup appearances, in 2006, 2010 and 2014, as well we appearing in six African Nations Cups — including when they were runners-up in 2006 and 2012, before being triumphant in 2015.

The former Barcelona player was named the African Footballer of the Year on four consecutive occasions from 2011.

“Writing this note was probably ‘the most difficult match of my life.’ After 14 years at the highest level, I’m sure this is the right time for me! The fact that I am 33 now, the intensity of training and the multitude of games are not the reasons why I am making this decision,” he said on his official website.

“Football is everything to me and it gave me so much in my career that I no longer feel able to set myself new goals as a player with the Elephants of Ivory Coast.

“This decision I have made has come gradually, it has slowly matured in my head. I definitely thought it necessary to wait until the qualifying stages for the next AFCON [African Nations Cup] were over. It was also important for me that I do not disturb the dynamics of the national team.”

“I look back to the victory in 2015. It came as a big ‘phew!’ It was a relief,” Toure added on the AFCON victory last year January. “Finally the Ivorian people claimed their cup after so many years.
“Our generation had accomplished its mission and it was a great reward for all Ivorians, who never stopped thanking us. I would ask them [now] for their understanding. And ask them, as we say, to give me ‘part of the road.

“I can still bring a lot to the players, to the youth of my country and to the African continent and to the world,” Toure added. “I would like to give the children what football has given me. Football gave me a lot. It taught me many things, things of life. This is one of the most important lessons in my life. Thank you! God bless you!”

Toure made his debut for the Ivory Coast in 2004, and replaced Didier Drogba as captain when the striker retired following the 2014 World Cup.